E3 Recruitment: Exclusive Recruitment Member of YCF, the Premier Support Network for the Manufacturing Industry

E3 Recruitment takes great pride in being the sole recruitment member of an exceptional support network.

YCF, a not-for-profit membership organisation dedicated to the manufacturing industry and its supply chain, operates across various sectors, fostering partnerships, providing services, and facilitating connections. Its primary goal is to enable companies to share best practices, overcome common challenges, and expand their networks. YCF boasts a robust membership of process manufacturers, including numerous SMEs and prominent employers.

Originally known as Yorkshire Chemical Focus, YCF emerged 11 years ago as a cluster support program under the umbrella of the Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward. Since then, it has evolved into a multi-faceted organisation focusing on four strategic themes: Manufacturing, QSHE, Regulatory, and Sector Specific. Biannual meetings for each group serve as platforms for informative presentations, fostering new connections, and networking opportunities. These meetings are free for YCF members, often leading to the initiation of YCF projects and initiatives, such as the Process Manufacturing Centre at Kirklees College.

What sets this unique Yorkshire-based group apart is the strong backing it receives from engineering giant Siemens, which recently renewed its Sector Specific Partnership. Sean McDonagh, Business Manager at Siemens, expressed his delight in confirming the renewal, highlighting the value of engaging with YCF membership, sharing best practices, and collaborating on key issues faced by process sectors. McDonagh personally enjoyed the membership visit to Siemens’ globally acclaimed drives factory at Congleton, and he highly recommends engaging with the YCF team and attending future events to other members.

The success of YCF can be attributed to the expertise and industry knowledge of its CEO, Jill Mooney, and its Operating Manager, Lisa Buck. YCF has built and continues to foster strong relationships with its members. The synergy between E3 Recruitment and YCF became evident during their initial meeting at the Manufactured Yorkshire event. Tracie Norton and James Soden, Directors at E3R, now sit on the steering group for the YCF Skills group, leveraging their industry recruitment expertise to advise on skill gaps and requirements. Their involvement with YCF has greatly benefited their business, expanding their network and introducing them to new clients.

E3 Recruitment sponsored the manufacturing section of YCF’s Annual Conference and went on to sponsor the Annual Dinner. According to James, the strategic fit between E3R and YCF was immediately apparent. His involvement in the YCF skills steering group has been invaluable, enabling him to contribute insights into industry recruitment needs and skill gaps. Engaging with YCF has strengthened E3R’s network and facilitated new client connections.

E3R Director Andrew Pilling attended the YCF QSHE network visit to the Heineken plant in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. This meeting involved member presentations and a facility tour, offering a valuable opportunity for industry peers to network, share best practices, discuss challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences. The popularity of these events is evident as members recognise the benefits and actively participate.

YCF is involved in a wide range of projects, from launching the YCF Directory of Approved Consultants—a free service for consultant members with fewer than five employees—to participating in the SCOT project (Smart CO2 Transformation), the first-ever European initiative in the field of carbon dioxide utilisation.

One of YCF’s upcoming events is the third Annual Dinner and the first People Awards Ceremony, sponsored by E3 Recruitment. This event, scheduled for October 19, 2016, at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, aims to recognise and celebrate the people behind successful businesses and projects within the manufacturing industry. Nominations are open to anyone within the industry, reflecting YCF’s commitment to supporting the individuals who drive the manufacturing sector’s success. This approach, combined with the strong support of its members and industry giant Siemens, contributes to YCF’s continued success.